Faster, Higher, Stronger - Seriously?

Brace yourself for the Olympics! Its the ultimate example of "the thrill of victory; the agony of defeat". Fledgling ABC producer Roone Arledge penned those now immortal words to open the Wide World of Sports that launched in the early 1960s. Can you believe that his phrase is still quoted fifty years later? That's the kind of writing impact that any author dreams to have.

Arledge's tag line proves that much can be said with a few well chosen words. Whether you are writing for a reader or writing for a speech, where is the memorable line? Simply stated, what's the sound bite that TV news would leap on from your words? Think about it. 

In Olympic terms, is your written product faster, higher and stronger than the previous work? Writing fast is essential in the news business. From my experience in broadcast news, writer's block was synonymous with fired, so it wasn't an option. At times a writer needs to fill the page and meet that deadline. 

Is your working reaching higher levels or skimming at the same easy, less challenging pace?  Are your words strong enough to make the point and dazzling enough to paint a mental picture? That's the writer's version of  the Olympic motto: faster, higher, stronger. Go for the gold by delivering world class writing.